According to reports in Spain, the confirmation of the purchase of Barcelona misfit Cesc Fabregas will be announced once the Camp Nou side have exchanged contracts with their intended replacement -Ivan Rakitic, of Sevilla.

That deal may not be delayed too severely as, according to MARCA, Rakitic to Barcelona is "all but done". The "foundations" of the transfer were completed two days ago and an announcement could even be made today, Wednesday, as the La Liga heavyweights want to sign the deal off before Croatia kick-off their World Cup tournament against hosts Brazil in Sao Paulo tomorrow evening, Thursday.

"The Croat arrives at the Camp Nou to replace Cesc Fàbregas, whose move to Chelsea will also be made official in the next few hours," write MARCA.

This report however was published late on Monday, and there is still not yet any confirmation of the Barcelona star.

Another deal which could be imminent is the transfer of Atletico Madrid full back Filipe Luis, as Guilherme Siqueira, who is firmly regarded to be the 28-year-old's replacement, was presented as an Atleti player earlier today.

On Luis, he said: "We've been friends since we were little. We're at a big club and have to be professional. I'm here to develop, grow and learn. I'm here to speak about Siqueira."

He added: "I took one second to accept Atleti's offer."

Luis would represent an unrelenting tackling force for the Stamford Bridge side as, in La Liga duty alone last term, he was responsible for an incredible 131 tackles from 32 appearances. He also returned an 80% passing accuracy, an 18% crossing accuracy, created 28 chances and provided a brace of assists.

The purchase of Luis does not perturb Cesar Azpilicueta, who had been getting into the side ahead of long-reigning left back Ashley Cole: "When you play in a top team, there’s always a lot of competition for spots," he said in the Evening Standard. "I always fought for my spot with respect to all my team-mates and will continue doing so."